"The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have reiterated that they are committed to improving the standard of cricket in Bangladesh. Zakir Husain Syed, ACC's development manager, dismissed suggestions that Bangladesh's Test-playing status would be revoked.

"The ICC and the ACC are particularly committed to all-out support to improve cricket in Bangladesh and reports giving the impression that Bangladesh's Test status would be taken back are totally wrong. The ICC has plans to improve the infrastructure and domestic competitions in Bangladesh and has allocated around US$500,000 for that purpose."

Syed also informed reporters that Andrew Eade, ICC's development manager, had marked out certain areas where the ICC and ACC could work together to improve Bangladesh cricket. "The ICC has planned an elite training programme in Bangladesh and the ACC will also conduct a sports medicine programme besides various other coaching and umpiring programmes there."

Since gaining Test status in June 2000, Bangladesh have lost 18 out of 19 Tests. Their one-day international record is equally dismal: not a single win in the last four years. Bangladesh went through World Cup 2003 without a victory, and have since hired Dav Whatmore as coach in an attempt to halt their miserable run. "